Round Four Throws Up Mixed Results For Olsbergs

Olsbergs MSE once again showed strong pace at the last round of the 2015 Red Bull Global Rallycross season but mixed fortunes for their pair of Scandinavian star drivers saw the team leave MCAS New River without a points haul to match.

Reigning champion Joni Wiman took a win and a runner up spot in his heats but had the hold on for third place in his semi-final after breaking his gearshift lever.

In the final it looked as if Wiman would continue his top three run for the weekend until engine failure in the dying moments of the race robbed the Finn of his first podium of the year.

“I was right behind Ken and looking for an opportunity to pass,” said Wiman. “But then the white flag was out and I passed it when the engine blew completely. That was it.”

However, a post-race investigation revealed that a timing error had extended the race by one lap, so despite originally being classified in eighth place, Wiman was awarded points for second place.

Wiman’s team mate Sebastian Eriksson entered the fourth round of the season at MCAS New River as the points leader but left sitting second in the standings, behind Ken Block.

The Swede’s weekend began badly with contact causing a broken wheel in the first heat. However, he took second place in the second heat before making a great start and leading from lights to flag in his semi-final to secure pole position for the main event.

More contact for Eriksson in the final caused problems though and when the race was neutralised by the red flags brought about after a smash for Brian Deegan, he chose to restart the race from the back of the field.

“I chose to start last in the final so I wouldn’t be in anybody’s way — I didn’t want to cause trouble for anyone else,” said Eriksson.

With crippling steering issues, Eriksson eventually finished two laps down and in ninth place.

Olsbergs’ Lites drivers Oliver Eriksson and Austin Cindric had a strong weekend to leave MCAS New River joint second in the points standings.

Eriksson finished the Lites final in second place while Cindric came home fifth.

Dominik Wilde is a professional motorsport and motoring writer that has covered events in both the UK and USA. His main focus for the Checkered Flag is covering Americas Rallycross and Nitro Rallycross.